LISTSERV 16.0 - PARKINSN Archives

Message-ID: <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Mon, 08 Feb 1999 19:14:42 -0800
From: "Parkinson's Action Network" <[log in to unmask]>
Reply-To: [log in to unmask]
Organization: Parkinson's Action Network
To: Barbara Schirloff <[log in to unmask]>
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The following message is from Michael Claeys,
Community Outreach Coordinator for the Parkinson's
Action Network.  Responses to this post, or any
related questions, comments or requests can be
delivered via email to [log in to unmask], or via phone
to (800) 850-4726.

UPDATE ON CONGRESSIONAL LETTERS TO NIH DIRECTOR
VARMUS

On Thursday January 28, Senator John McCain (R-AZ)
sent a letter to Harold Varmus, Ph.D., Director of
the National Institutes of Health (NIH).  The
letter is intended to "ensure that the NIH
allocates the appropriate level of funding for
Parkinson's focused research as stipulated by both
the Morris. K. Udall Act of 1997 and the 1998
Omnibus spending bill."  The letter was signed by
Senator McCain and fifteen of his Senate
colleagues.  The additional signers are listed
below in no particular order.

Christopher Bond (R-MO)    Herb Kohl (D-WI)
Jack Reed (D-RI)     Gordon Smith (R-OR)
Daniel Inouye (D-HI)    Robert Torricelli (D-NJ)
Ron Wyden (D-OR)     Patty Murray (D-WA)
Connie Mack (R-FL)    Paul Wellstone (D-MN)
Thad Cochran (R-MS)    Larry Craig (R-ID)
Harry Reid (D-NV)     Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ)
Mitch McConnell (R-KY)

Each of these Senators deserves the sincere thanks
of the Parkinson's community.  The number and
stature of the cosigning Senators is more than
sufficient to deliver a strong message to the NIH
of Congress' sincere intent to see Parkinson's
research funded at the highest possible level.
Considering the relative speed with which the
letter was organized - and the important and
seemingly all-consuming business currently before
the Senate - the number of signors is a good
indication of the broad-based support for
Parkinson's research in the U.S. Senate.

It also needs to be mentioned that there were a
few other Senators - including Barbara Boxer
(D-CA), Conrad Burns (R-MT), Patrick Leahy (D-VT)
and Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) - who had agreed to
sign the letter, but consistent with the sense of
urgency that pervades every aspect of the
Parkinson's advocacy, the letter was sent before
Senator McCain's office knew of those Senators'
intentions.   Alternative communication with the
NIH is being considered by these supportive
Senators.  And once again, each of these Senators
- both signors and supporters - deserves our
gratitude.

    In addition, tremendous credit is due the many
grassroots activists who contacted the Senators
above - and many others - to encourage their
support for this important start-of-the-year
letter.  We heard first-hand from several offices
that it was the impassioned request from
constituents that moved Senators to sign the
letter.  Further evidence that advocacy works!

This week in the House of Representatives,
Congressman Fred Upton (R-MI) and Henry Waxman
(D-CA) have circulated a "Dear Colleague" letter
alerting every Member of the House about a letter
to Dr. Varmus very similar to that sent by Senator
McCain and his colleagues, and asking for their
support.  In response to appeals by Parkinson's
activists, Congressman Upton's office has already
received notices from several Representatives
expressing interest in signing the House letter.
Additional cosigners will be added over the next
couple of weeks, and every person with an interest
in seeing additional federal Parkinson's research
funding should contact their Representative and
urge then to sign onto the letter.  Do it today!

Earlier PAN messages about the Congressional
letters to Dr. Varmus indicated a deadline for
signatures on or around January 19.  While that
date has passed - and although the Senate letter
has been sent - there is still time to contact
your Representatives!  Logistical delays and
events in Washington, DC have necessitated
additional time to get these letters together.  We
regret any confusion these delays may have caused.

You can still make a difference.  Contact you
Representatives at their Washington, DC offices -
you can reach any Member's office through the
Capitol Switchboard (202) 224-3121.  Ask for your
Representative's staff person responsible for
health care issues.  If they are not available,
leave a message about "Congressman Fred Upton's
letter to NIH Director Varmus supporting
Parkinson's research funding" and ask for a call
back to tell you whether or not your
Representative will sign the letter.  Be
persistent and be sure to get a clear and
understandable answer.

If you need assistance contacting your
Representative contact the Network at (800)
850-4726 or [log in to unmask]  Any questions or
comments about the Congressional letter to Dr.
Varmus, or any other advocacy activities can also
be directed to the Network.

Thank you for all your hard - it is making a real
difference!!